What should be an agreeable price for a 2001 SE Auto, fully loaded. (didn’t want to special order a 5spd, 3-4 month wait.) The sticker is 29.9K The dealer added $860 for paint sealant, and $150 or so for custom stripes which I won’t have them put on, to the MSRP.

So what should I talk them down to if I want it? Should I trade in my 96? Without the mods of course which I would sell to the needy I really don't know if the New Maxima LOOKS better then the 4th gen in my tastes? I’m sure the first thing I should do is beat down the sticker price, then talk about down payments, 90 days same as cash and the other things they try to distract you with.

It’s the sterling grey color with black leather, bose…etc.

Also, is it just me or some of the items in the car seem to be of LESS quality then a 4th gen GLE and SE?. They let me test drive the car over night cause my 96 is in the shop again! I think its kind of growing on me, though its not faster with its 222hp, but then again, my 96 is lighter, and has mods.

 

The 5th gen looks ell grow on you, then you'll want one better than your 4th gen, and the engine has a little more potential.....IMO

 

29.9 sounds a little steep. I paid 24.5K for a fully loaded 5spd (except no leather).
Straight from edmunds.com

(left=invoice, right=msrp)

Transmission: 4-Speed Automatic with OD (SE) $449, $500 In-Cabin Microfilter $42 ,$59
Bose Audio System (SE) $798, $899
Sunroof Wind Deflector $42, $59
Floor Mats $58, $79
Splash Guards $63, $89
6-Disc CD Changer $338, $459
Z Edition Traction Control System $259, $299
SE Comfort and Convenience Package (SE) $1,598, $1,799
Meridian Edition $467, $539
SE Leather Trim Package (SE) $1,171, $1,349

Invoice MSRP
Base Price $21,433 $23,849
Optional Equipment $5,285 $6,130
Destination Charge $520 $520

Total $27,238 $30,499

Good luck

 

You don't mention if the paint sealant & pinstripes are included in the 29.9 price, but either way, the dealer is paying approx. $150.00 for the applying the sealant & 40 - 50 bucks for the stripes if they're tape. The dealers make a killing on these add on's. My suggestion would be to use max2001se' prices and add $500-700 to the COST of the Max with whatever options you want. This would include the sealnt & stripes. You might even be able to do better than this but they should have no problem doing this deal. By the way, if they whine & tell you they're only making about $100 on the sealant & stripes, that's BS!

Good Luck!

 

I agree that the dealer makes bank on the add ons..I used to work at a dealer. Ask for one bone stock and look to pay no more than $26.5K to$27K. I got my SE for $24,800 with (Bose, 17 inch wheels) everything except leather.

 

I got my loaded MAXIMA SE AUTO 2000 with those extras and roof deflector, mud flaps, etc for 26,400 out the door.

 

I bought my 2k se as follows..
bone stock for $21,900 and had the dealer put in an aftermarket leather for $1000. So I paid $22,900 for mine. But it's all up to what you want. I didn't want the heated seats or bose system. My thoughts were.... I can put in a better aftermarket audio system for what you pay for the bose factory system.

my 2 cents..

 

In my opinion, any dealer who tries to fork you for $1k for bull **** options is not to be trusted. You should look to another dealer. Check out the Edmunds TMV at Edmunds.com. THat will give you a good idea as to what is a fair price. You should also be able to find a 5 speed if you are getting it fully loaded. My problem was that I wanted only the C&C package with the 5 speed. I saw several 5 speeds that were fully loaded.
Good luck--Gregg

 

My experience shows that any dealer that adds on almost $1000 for a coat of wax that costs them about $100 should not be one that I deal with. Run away from that dealer as fast as you can.

Regarding the price for a '01 Max, I was just quoted $ 28,772 for a fully loaded Anniversary Edition (automatic), which is $100 over invoice. Check out edmunds.com or kbb.com who can provide a lot of info. Never negotiate with a dealer starting with his MSRP, always begin with invoice amount, then go up from there.

 

Thanks guys. I guess the first question is if its worth the extra monthly debt for this car over a very clean 96 GLE?

Second, no one said anything on the quality? Some things look like more cheap plastic used in the 01 SE, but I may be wrong? I lile the audio controls on the wheel.

The Sealent and Pin Stripes are included in the 29.9, but the stripes are not on yet, so I don't have to pay for that if I don't want them.

Should I just look at the stiker price of about 28 something and talk from there? They are willing to work with me, and give me 90 days same as cash, and work good payments, under $500/mo.

I mean for 29.9, add another grand, and I could just get an 01 I30

Do these cars respond to mods even better then the 4th gen? I fugure if its starts at 222HP 230 is no problem with just a CAI, then with the Y pipe and exhaust may pushing the 240+ area? I wish there were more GO mods for the Maxima other then the SC.

 

I do not know about an SE, but I just purchased a 2001 GLE Auto with every option available including the meridian package and cd changer. The MSRP was $29,451 and I paid $25,900 for the car without even haggling with the dealer and it was so easy. I bought it online at autobytel.com. You specify what you want and they have a dealer in your area contact you via phone and e-mail with a price. You can take it our leave it. You then go see the car for youself and decide whether you want to purchase it with No Obligations. If you are still looking you should check it out.

Walldog

 

I just bought a 2001 SE 20th Anniv. with 5 speed and every option available. The sticker was $31,124. The salesman showed me the dealer invoice with a total of $28,202 (this included $400 for something known as MA, it's an advertising fee, and according to my reading it's legitemant). He said they would sell the car for $200 over invoice, so I paid $28,402 for a Merlot with black leather car. The dealer is VOB in Rockville,Maryland (301-770-6100)and he has another one just like it on the lot, plus an automatic on the showroom floor.

 

 

YOu guys have been great...again. No other comments on moving up for a 4th gen? I might want to get an i30 though, but I hear its got some more weight to it. The I30 just looks a lot cleaner for me. I wish I could talk to VOB, but I live in Texas, so that would be some trip

 

I personally think the 5th gen is very easy to go fast, look at a lot of guys on this post, they run 14.7 eezee w/ minimal mods, but that's for the 5spd, the 4th gen has a crisper more 'performance' auto tranny, so different story there, but if i were you I'd get a 2K1 5spd SE!

 

FIrst of all. Tell the dealer to lick you if he tries o sell you paint sealant!!! I just leased a 2001 Maxima SE with convience pkg for 402 a month with no money upfront. You shouldnt pay more than $25K for an SE with conv. pkg.!

 

Hi, I'm new here. I just bought my loaded '01 SE last week and I paid 25632.00. 29.9K is too much.

2001 Maxima SE w/ AT 21,882
Bose 798
SE Leather package 1171
SE comfort and convenience package 1598
Floor mats 58
Splash Guards 63
Sunroof wind deflector 42
Destination 520
Nissan Market Assessment 300
Warranty Recovery fee 27
Nissan Rebate 500

You can get a better deal.

[Edited by MaxGirl on 01-05-2001 at 10:46 AM]

 

for any model.

 

I sold cars for 2 years, and worked in the finance office of a dealer for 4 years. This is what you do. Have them pull out a stock SE..with the plastic still on the seats. ..no aftermarket anything!! Offer $100 over invoice. If they don't agree then WALK... They might come running after you. If they don't they will call you the next day. I had my bald , 60 year old, 5'3" salesman doing the 100 yard dash across the parking lot when I played like I was going to walk.

 

You mention that your '96 Max is in the shop "again". If you're starting to have frequent problems, perhaps it's time to part with it. I would recommend selling it outright if you have the time, since the dealer won't give you much for it because of the age. The 4th gen is a great body style and it would make a great 1st car for someone. Regarding a 5th generation purchase... do it & never look back. There is absolutely nothing else out there that will give you the styling, comfort and performance for the same dollar. Plus consider all the mods that have been available just within the first year! What all is going to be available within the next 2-3 years? I am in outside sales and do ALOT of daily driving and I can tell you, this car is a joy to drive.

2K GXE Auto
Icelandic Pearl
K&N Drop In
FSTB on the way

 

29.9K is way too much. Out here, everything costs more, so it's a tad bit more expensive to buy a car. I got my GLE for about 26.7K, a little less. They even threw in free mats and splash guards.

 

Ask the dealer to remove the paint sealant and get back the $1000. If their excuse is they can't, tell them to use Dawn Dishwashing Detergent, Clay, or alchohal!